Cognitive impairment after stroke in young adults

This data collection is based on date of the ‘Observational Dutch Young Symptomatic StrokE studY’ (ODYSSEY), a multicenter prospective cohort study on the risk factors and prognosis of patients with a stroke at young age. The present collection included patients aged 18 to 49 years with a first-ever ischemic stroke with radiological evidence of cerebral ischemia, included between May 2013 and July 2021.
Exclusion criteria were a history of stroke, retinal infarction and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

All patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment at baseline (within 6 months after stroke) and partially at follow-up (1 year post-stroke). We assessed the 7 most relevant cognitive domains using multiple tests: episodic memory (3-trial version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test), processing speed (the written version of the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test, the abbreviated Stroop Colour Word Test, parts I and II), visuoconstruction (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure - copy trial), executive functioning (Fluency test, Stroop interference score, Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test), visual neglect (Star Cancellation of the Behavioural Inattention Test), language deficits (Short Token test), attention and working memory (Digit Span subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition).

We used a 15-item semi-structured interview on subjective cognitive complaints at baseline.

We scored level of education with a Dutch scoring system, using 7 categories. Symptoms of depression and fatigue were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the subscale Subjective Fatigue of the revises Checklist on Individual Strength. We evaluated functional outcome at the time of the cognitive assessment using the Barthel Index and modified Rankins Scale. Furthermore, we assessed the etiology of stroke (based on modified Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) and severity at admission and discharge (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale).

The majority of the patients in this collection underwent a clinical MRI of their brain. In a substudy, we examined patients with an extensive MRI assessment, including Diffusion Weighted Imaging protocol at baseline.

From patients who had a paid employment or followed education/study prior to their stroke, we exemined data on employment status during follow-up.

We recruited 23 controls among the patients’ spouses and relatives.

Statistical analyses were performed using RStudio.

Closed acces is used for these datasets, as there was no consent for reuse.